12 Years A Slave - Trailer And Movie Poster

Reported by Outsiders - 2013.07.15

Is it too early for Oscar predictions? We think not. Especially after watching the gut-wrenching debut trailer for director Steve McQueen's hotly-anticipated, historical drama "12 Years A Slave," about the harrowing true story of Solomon Northup, an African-American man who was born free, living in New York with his wife and children when he was tricked, kidnapped, and sold into slavery for twelve agonizing years.

In what looks like a riveting and career-defining performance (Best Actor, anyone?), British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup. He leads the star-studded cast, which includes Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti and a terrifying Michael Fassbender who plays a vicious plantation owner.

12 YEARS A SLAVE is based on an incredible true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender) as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomonís chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) forever alters his life.